Chandler Massey Exits Prominent Gay Role As 'Will' On 'Days Of Our Lives'

Chandler Massey, the two-time Daytime Emmy winner who deftly navigated Days Of Our Lives' poignant, multi-year coming out and coming-of-age storyline, made his official exit from the GLAAD Award winning daytime drama on Friday.

Massey received critical acclaim for his work as Will Horton on the series and became one-half of one of the show's most prominent couples, Will and Sonny (played by Freddie Smith).

The 22-year-old actor tells Gay Star News that NBC has agreed to let him out of his four-year contract more than three months early so he can focus on school and pursue some other acting opportunities.

The role of Will is going to be recast, Massey said.

He will continue to appear in episodes of the show through the end of December because it is filmed several months in advance.

'I'm done. It's bittersweet,' said Massey who won his second Emmy for the role in June. 'These four years have been so amazing I've built a family here. I'm so grateful to NBC and everyone for these amazing four years. It's been my privilege and honor to work there.'

The actor added: 'I'm appreciative for Days and NBC for letting me out of my contract early so I can go and pursue these opportunities that I have not been able to pursue before.'

It was after his second Emmy win that Massey first indicated that he would not be staying on the show beyond his current four-year contract which ended in December 2013.

Days of Our Lives producers had initially said the role would not be recast. But the coupling of Will Horton and Sonny Kirakis (Freddie Smith) has proven popular with fans and managed to avoid backlash from advertisers.

'I think it's a good move (to recast),' Massey said. 'I'm biased because I fell in love with Will and Sonny and I want Will and Sonny to be together.'

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Massey said he is thankful to the show's fans for making Will and Sonny such a popular pair.

'We would not have a show without them and it is their love and support that keeps us afloat,' he said. 'I feel incredibly blessed to have received that love.'

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Will you miss Chandler on Days of Our Lives, Instincters? Think the recast for "Will" will be as popular? High hopes for Will and Sonny?